PANDIT G TURNS DOWN MBE

Pandit G refuses the accolade because of his views on the honours system...

Asian Dub Foundation‘s PANDIT G has been awarded the MBE – but refused to accept it because of his views on the honours system.

Pandit G, real name John Pandit, is the chair of CM (Community Music Ltd), the organisation where Asian Dub Foundation formed, and also ADFED, the educational wing of Asian Dub Foundation. Both aim to promote new music in socially deprived areas.

He was awarded the MBE for ‘services to the music industry’ in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours list. However, he has decided not to accept it, because he thinks it highlights the wrong aspects of the work he does.

He commented: “I personally don’t think it’s appropriate. I’ve never supported the honours system. If you want to acknowledge projects like CM, the work that these organisations do, then fund them. There’s no point in giving an individual (an accolade). To bring people into the establishment won’t actually help the organisations.

“If you want to acknowledge the work of these organisations, prioritise funding so they can grow and expand and do the work that they do (in) creating new music, giving people the opportunities to make music, develop new musicians and create pathways where they can go out and establish themselves in the music industry.”

Asian Dub Foundation are currently working on a new album with producer Adrian Sherwood. The album should be released in spring 2003.